Lamentations 3:1-66 CEV

[1] The Prophet Speaks: I have suffered much because God was angry. [2] He chased me into a dark place, where no light could enter. [3] I am the only one he punishes over and over again, without ever stopping. [4] God caused my skin and flesh to waste away, and he crushed my bones. [5] He attacked and surrounded me with hardships and trouble; [6] he forced me to sit in the dark like someone long dead. [7] God built a fence around me that I cannot climb over, and he chained me down. [8] Even when I shouted and prayed for help, he refused to listen. [9] God put big rocks in my way and made me follow a crooked path. [10] God was like a bear or a lion waiting in ambush for me; [11] he dragged me from the road, then tore me to shreds. [12] God took careful aim and shot his arrows [13] straight through my heart. [14] I am a joke to everyone- no one ever stops making fun of me. [15] God has turned my life sour. [16] He made me eat gravel and rubbed me in the dirt. [17] I cannot find peace or remember happiness. [18] I tell myself, "I am finished! I can't count on the LORD to do anything for me." [19] Just thinking of my troubles and my lonely wandering makes me miserable. [20] That's all I ever think about, and I am depressed. [21] Then I remember something that fills me with hope. [22] The LORD's kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. [23] The LORD can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. [24] Deep in my heart I say, "The LORD is all I need; I can depend on him!" [25] The LORD is kind to everyone who trusts and obeys him. [26] It is good to wait patiently for the LORD to save us. [27] When we are young, it is good to struggle hard [28] and to sit silently alone, if this is what the LORD intends. [29] Being rubbed in the dirt can teach us a lesson; [30] we can also learn from insults and hard knocks. [31] The Lord won't always reject us! [32] He causes a lot of suffering, but he also has pity because of his great love. [33] The Lord doesn't enjoy sending grief or pain. [34] Don't trample prisoners under your feet [35] or cheat anyone out of what is rightfully theirs. God Most High sees everything, [36] and he knows when you refuse to give someone a fair trial. [37] No one can do anything without the Lord's approval. [38] Good and bad each happen at the command of God Most High. [39] We're still alive! We shouldn't complain when we are being punished for our sins. [40] Instead, we should think about the way we are living, and turn back to the LORD. [41] When we lift our hands in prayer to God in heaven, we should offer him our hearts and say, [42] "We've sinned! We've rebelled against you, and you haven't forgiven us! [43] Anger is written all over you, as you pursue and slaughter us without showing pity. [44] You are behind a wall of clouds that blocks out our prayers. [45] You allowed nations to treat us like garbage; [46] our enemies curse us. [47] We are terrified and trapped, caught and crushed." [48] My people are destroyed! Tears flood my eyes, [49] and they won't stop [50] until the LORD looks down from heaven and helps. [51] I am horrified when I see what enemies have done to the young women of our city. [52] No one had reason to hate me, but I was hunted down like a bird. [53] Then they tried to kill me by tossing me into a pit and throwing stones at me. [54] Water covered my head- I thought I was gone. [55] From the bottom of the pit, I prayed to you, LORD. [56] I begged you to listen. "Help!" I shouted. "Save me!" You answered my prayer [57] and came when I was in need. You told me, "Don't worry!" [58] You rescued me and saved my life. [59] You saw them abuse me, LORD, so make things right. [60] You know every plot they have made against me. [61] Yes, you know their insults and their evil plans. [62] All day long they attack with words and whispers. [63] No matter what they are doing, they keep on mocking me. [64] Pay them back for everything they have done, LORD! [65] Put your curse on them and make them suffer. [66] Get angry and go after them until not a trace is left under the heavens.